Ukrainian Federation defends Boris Ryzhyk, claims Mykola Ambrosov is corrupt / News - Basketnews.com

Volodymyr Drabikovsky expressed doubt about Mykola Ambrosov's claims and criticized him, stating that he believes Ambrosov is corrupt. He mentioned that the federation had already expelled Ambrosov due to his alleged involvement in corruption. According to Drabikovsky, Ambrosov was responsible for appointing referees in lower-tier games and would demand money from referees to promote them.

Credit: imago images/ANE Edition - Scanpix Credit imago images/ANE Edition - Scanpix

The General Secretary of the Ukrainian Basketball Federation, Volodymyr Drabikovsky, recently spoke to two Greek media outlets -- SPORT24 and Gazzetta.gr -- regarding referee Mykola Ambrosov's claims.

According to Ukrainian ref Ambrosov, Boris Ryzhyk and Ilias Koromilas allegedly attempted to bribe him with 10,000 euros during the EuroCup final in 2021, aiming to influence the game in favor of UNICS Kazan that played against AS Monaco.

Following this interview on Wednesday, EuroLeague has announced the initiation of an internal investigation into the alleged bribery attempt during the 2021 EuroCup final.

Drabikovsky's statements for SPORT24:

"I certainly don't believe him. Ambrosov is not a good man, and he is corrupt -- that is why we ruled him out. He was responsible for appointing referees in men's and women's second-division games.

He was asking referees for half their fee to put them in games, and that's why we ruled him out. Then he started a war against the president, me, and the federation with made-up stories.

Now, about the interview. I have a question to ask. Why didn't he call Richard Stokes at once when he was contacted, and he remembered to tell his story three years after?"

Drabikovsky's statements for Gazzetta.gr:

"It's my personal opinion, but I don't believe it. He was a EuroLeague referee. I know well both Boris Ryzhyk and Ilias Koromilas, but also the system of EuroLeague referees. It can't be that way.

Ambrosov was my student. He was responsible for the referees in the second division and the women's league. But the federation expelled him for corruption. He demanded money from the referees in order to promote them, sometimes even half their monthly salary. He was expelled for that reason.

Since then, he often attacks me, but also Ryzhyk. I don't know why he chose Ryzhyk at this particular moment, but we didn't kick him out. It was the board's decision. When he was young, he was a good referee. When he began to take power in his hands, he changed."

In addition to the whole situation, the Greek Basketball Federation has taken swift action in response to EuroLeague's announcement.

Referee Ilias Koromilas has been ruled out from officiating Greece's World Cup preparation games, for which he had been appointed, until further notice.

"The Greek Basketball Federation, upon being informed of the start of an investigation by EuroLeague regarding a complaint involving Greek referee Ilias Koromilas, had decided to replace him in the preparation matches of the men's national team, for which he had been selected since July 27, when the appointments were made.

Ilias Koromilas will remain out of action until the final clarification of the case and the publication of the final conclusion of the investigation."

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